STORY: AMISOM Ethiopian forces deploy Belet Weyne TRT: 03:20 SOURCE: AU/UN IST RESTRICTIONS: This media

asset is free for editorial broadcast, print, online and radio use. It is not to be sold on and is restricted for other purposes. All enquiries to news@auunist.org CREDIT REQUIRED: AU/UNIST LANGUAGE: AHMARIC/NATS DATELINE: 13TH FEBUARY 2014/BELET WEYNE/ SOMALIA SHOTLIST: 1. Wide shot, Ethiopian troops on trucks arriving in Belet Weyne 2. Med shot, Ethiopian troops on trucks waving to by standers 3. Med shot, Truck wheels moving 4. Med shot, Ethiopian troops on trucks 5. Med shot, Ethiopian soldiers on the trucks 6. Close-up shot, Ethiopian troops 7. Wide shot, Ethiopian soldiers disembarking from their trucks 8. Med shot, Ethiopian troops disembark 9. Med shot, Ethiopian soldiers drawing water from a tank 10. Close-up, The AU mark on one of the Lorries 11. Wide shot, Ethiopian troops gathered in one place awaiting instructions 12. Med shot, Ethiopian troops waiting for instructions 13. Close-up, Female soldier seated with colleagues 14. Med shot, Ethiopian troops listening to their commanders 15. Close-up, Ethiopian flag on soldiers uniform 16. Med shot, Deputy Sector commander speaking to the soldiers 17. Med shot, Deputy Sector commander speaks to the soldiers 18. Med shot, Deputy Sector commander addressing the troops 19. SOUNDBITE (Ahmaric) Colonel Mariye, the Ethiopian Deputy Sector 4 commander:

We are now part of AMISOM Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs). We are here to bring peace and stability in Somalia, 20. Close-up, Ethiopian soldiers listening to the commander 21. Med shot, Ethiopian soldiers disembarking from the trucks and greeting each other 22. Wide shot, Ethiopian trucks line-up while soldiers disembark 23. Wide shot, Tanks aboard their carriers 24. Med shot, A tank being driven from its carrier 25. Wide shot, Ethiopian soldiers with ambulance and water tank lorry 26. Med shot, Ethiopian soldiers and tanks at sun set 27. Med shot, Ethiopian soldiers 28. Med, Tanks aboard their carriers. 29. Med shot, Soldiers with tank carriers in the background 30. Wide shot, Line-up of tanks 31. Med shot, Line-up of tanks 32. Med shot, Soldier aboard a tank 33. Med shot, Soldiers standing in front of tanks 34. Med shot, Deputy Sector commander speaking to the soldiers 35. SOUNDBITE (Ahmaric) Col. Mariye, the Deputy Sector commander: Our major aim is to fight al Shabaab and eliminate them from the areas they remain in sector 4, so that peace prevails in the region. That is why we came here. STORY: Ethiopian forces have deployed in Belet Weyne, in South Central Somalia as they begin their duties under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). The troops joined AMISOM in effect of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2124(2013) that provided for increased capacity of the AMISOM force strength from 17, 731 to 22,126 uniformed personnel. A total of 4, 395 Ethiopian troops are to be deployed into the AMISOM, comprising the forces 6th contingent.

In Belet Weyne, the Ethiopian troops are work under the command of the Djiboutian force led by Col. Abdirahman Dhimbil, as commander. Col. Mariye leads the Ethiopian troops and is now the sector Deputy Commander. AMISOM troops in Belet Weyne have helped maintain peace and security and have been involved in mediating varying clans, working towards reconciliation. Ethiopian Sector Deputy Commander Col. Mariye says the country is happy to be part of AMISOM and the wider effort by Africa, to work towards ensuring peace in Somalia. We are now part of AMISOM Troop Contributing Countries (TCC). We are here to bring peace and stability in Somalia, the Colonel said. He also expresses the troops commitment to defeating the al Shabaab insurgents, who have terrorized the Somali people for years. Our major aim is to fight al Shabaab and eliminate them from the areas they remain in this sector, so that peace prevails in the region. That is why we came here, Col. Mariye said. The troops have also pledged to work closely with the local administration, in defeating the common enemy. Formally inaugurated into AMISOM last month, the Ethiopian troops are now effecting deployment in a move expected to boost the capacity of the force in checking terrorism in Somalia END.